Torkham stalemate: Talks between jirgas to resolve issue fizzle out

LANDIKOTAL: Negotiations between Pakistani and Afghan jirgas to resolve the 19-day-long Torkham border standoff collapsed after the Afghan delegation walked out, citing Pakistan’s lack of seriousness, official sources said.

They said the dispute began nearly three weeks ago when Afghan forces started constructing structures inside Pakistani territory near the Torkham border.

Pakistan objected to the construction, leading to rising tensions and the suspension of trade and cross-border movement. The closure has caused severe disruptions to businesses and travelers on both sides.

To resolve the issue, both countries formed jirgas four days ago, comprising tribal elders, businessmen, and officials.

In the first meeting held two days ago, both delegations agreed to a ceasefire and further dialogue to address the controversial construction and restore border operations. The ceasefire has been upheld since the initial talks.

After consulting Afghan authorities in Kabul and Jalalabad, the Afghan jirga led by Afghan Chamber of Commerce Chairman Younus Mohmand returned to the Torkham border for a decisive round of negotiations. The meeting was expected to determine the next steps for reopening the border and resolving the territorial dispute.

However, the Afghan delegation said that Pakistan had expanded its delegation list without prior consultation. The Afghan jirga waited for two hours but ultimately decided to leave without holding talks. They returned to Kabul, expressing their disappointment with Pakistan’s jirga approach and accusing it of undermining serious negotiations.

Pakistani jirga leader and Federation of Chambers of Commerce advisor Sayed Jawad Hussain Kazmi acknowledged the Afghan concerns, admitting that the expansion of the delegation had not been communicated properly. He explained that Pakistan had originally submitted a list of 17 members, but another list with over 50 additional names was unexpectedly sent to the Afghan delegation.

Kazmi stressed that the Torkham border dispute was a critical issue affecting trade, economic stability, and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He reiterated that dialogue remained the only way to resolve the matter and assured that efforts would continue to bring the Afghan jirga back to the negotiating table.

Despite the setback, Kazmi said that Pakistani officials remained in contact with their Afghan counterparts throughout the day. However, by the time communication was re-established, the Afghan delegation had already reached Kabul, making it difficult for them to return to Torkham on the same day.

The Torkham border remained closed, causing financial losses to traders and hardships for thousands of travelers stranded on both sides. Business leaders and economic experts warned that prolonged tensions could severely impact Pakistan-Afghanistan trade relations, which are already fragile due to past border closures.

Both governments are now under increasing pressure to resolve the crisis swiftly. Pakistani officials have vowed to persuade the Afghan delegation to resume talks, expressing optimism that negotiations would restart soon and lead to a peaceful resolution of the dispute.